Brooklyn NY – Councilman Lewis Fidler (D-Brooklyn) who has successfully sued Mayor Bloomberg three times, today publicly offered to join as a plaintiff in any lawsuit challenging the planned Health Department edict on Metzitzah B’peh.
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“I believe it is wrong for the government to tell a religious figure that he must advise that a practice he believes in is risky, especially when the evidence to support that assertion is tenuous, at best. It is an unwarranted government intrusion into religion and I think it is both objectionable and actionable,” said Fidler.
While legislators who are either Orthodox or purport to be have commented on the issue previously, Councilman Fidler is the first non-Orthodox official to weigh in. “Had I not been in the hospital for the past week, I would have weighed in sooner,” said Fidler. “Now that I am out and about, this was the first order of business on my agenda.”
“While I am not an Orthodox Jew, and Metzitzah B’peh is not my family’s practice, we must all be more tolerant of the views of others as to their religious rights and freedoms. Jews must be permitted to practice their religion freely and to their own persuasion, as should all people. That is why this issue is so important,” added Fidler.
“I have mentioned to one of my friends at Agudath Israel that I believe there should be a lawsuit, and that I would be willing to be a plaintiff in that suit. The City Council does not have override powers, unfortunate as that might be. If it did, I would sponsor an override of this intolerant and obtrusive policy,” said Fidler.
The degree of risk may be much lower than claimed. Government regulation of a religious practice that has very low risk is worrisome to many people for good reason.
” The City Council does not have override powers, unfortunate as that might be. If it did, I would sponsor an override of this intolerant and obtrusive policy,” said Fidler. “
This is a huge problem, that agencies have very limited oversight. Its a way around the democratic system.
Kudos to a man who stands up among Isreal!
Does the gov’t involve itself in banning homosexual intercourse when the health risks are known to be DANGEROUS ??!
Kudos to Councilman. Fidler who has long been a staunch ally and helped the Orthodox community. He is a courageous representative who leads and doesn’t pander.